Raising Simulation: Queen of Maryland Maker (3)
Riana Ishinkiore had lived a life of constant struggle.
To her, family was a chain—and something she always had to prove herself to.
The Golden Duke, Pavel Ishinkiore, was a rising star who shot to prominence during the previous emperor's reign.
Originally a margrave overseeing the empire's eastern territories, he turned the tables on an invasion from the Eastern Kingdom, capturing six fortresses in the process.
For that feat, House Ishinkiore was elevated to ducal status and merged with the southern territory known as the Silk Road, establishing itself as one of the empire's three pillars.
And that was just the beginning.
Pavel wasn't just a master of martial prowess; he was a genius at commerce too.
To wage war efficiently, you needed meticulous budgeting and precise logistics. He'd handled all that flawlessly even back as a margrave, so the title of upstart duke was like wings to him.
Leveraging the abundant resources of the east and south, he built a massive merchant guild.
He even forged loose alliances with the former enemy Eastern Kingdom, amassing enormous wealth.
With his uncanny ability to read the currents of the times, it was no surprise.
During the previous emperor's era, he donated 60% of his fortune to the imperial palace to avoid any backlash.
And during the War of the Princes, he swiftly backed the Iron Blood Emperor, emerging even more powerful after the regime change—a masterstroke.
Naturally, this bred a meritocratic worldview.
Pavel even rejected the aristocratic norm of primogeniture.
Instead, he publicly declared he'd pass his position to whichever child proved their worth.
At first glance, it seemed fair, giving all his children equal opportunity.
Reality was the opposite.
Pavel was perpetually swamped, rarely even coming home—and when he did, it was just to handle family business before rushing off again, never bonding emotionally with his kids.
No attachment could form that way.
To his children, Pavel Ishinkiore wasn't a father; he was the empire's great Golden Duke.
That was why Riana felt more pressure than comfort from her own name.
Why she'd never returned home once since leaving at twenty to marry.
Why she treated her guild's commoner aides like family.
The relentless scrutiny was suffocating.
And the second issue: lack of legitimacy.
From the eldest to the second, third, fourth, fifth—and the youngest daughter—all born to different wives.
The first wife, who should have mediated as matriarch, died young of illness.
It turned into total chaos.
The house splintered, vassals splitting into factions under the various wives and their children, sparking a Warring States era for control.
In the end, House Ishinkiore was unified only by its seal.
...They'd never truly been a family to begin with.
"That's how I snagged this guild by playing both sides against the middle. While my second and fourth brothers were at each other's throats, I worked the shadows. Hosting those salon parties at the academy? All to build those connections."
Riana let out a weary sigh.
"I thought Father was pleased when we registered the patent with the Treasury and racked up record sales for over half a year... Guess it was wishful thinking."
"But why the sudden marriage talk? Planning to hand the guild to one of your brothers outright?"
I asked with a puzzled look, and Hanna, her dedicated secretary, answered instead.
"No, Lady Riana has the guild fully under her control. His Grace knows this and is quite satisfied with its operations."
"Then?"
"But even swallowing the empire's top guild doesn't tie us deeply to central power."
"Ah."
I got it.
Classic family head: successful himself, clueless about his kids.
I came from a count's family myself.
I knew noble society's twists and shadows better than most.
"Then just refuse. If he values ability, say you want to keep running the guild. It's just a proposal, right?"
"It's... the match is, uh..."
Riana hesitated, wondering if she should say it, then squeezed her eyes shut.
"Royalty... Third prince of the Eastern Kingdom, I think."
"Holy shit."
This was straight-up Princess—no, Queen—Maker.
I smacked my forehead.
Political marriages? Standard in noble circles.
Using kids as bargaining chips for power and revival was textbook.
But foreign royalty? That's another level.
The empire and continent enjoyed unprecedented peace now.
The Iron Blood Emperor, who crushed battlefields with ruthless steel, had halted all conquests.
Instead, he focused on northern demons, monsters, and dark wizards—everyone's headache.
A proposal from a neighboring prince amid that? Pavel Ishinkiore might be eyeing expansion beyond the empire.
"If Father wants it, it'll happen. He might even turn Riana Merchant Guild into the Eastern Kingdom's state company, seizing their economy."
"Lady Riana has already refused twice. His Grace just advised her to think seriously then, but this time he seems resolute."
"But isn't this a win? Marry royalty, become royalty yourself."
"...The prince is over fifty. That's the problem." Ah, classic cliché. "The Eastern king is famous for longevity. A 6-circle mage, so maybe expected."
Arkisiya, my teacher, shrugged and added,
"He won't abdicate till death's door."
"So Father might be gunning for the next generation... Third prince is the king's last son. First and second died young; when the third, who took the throne, goes, it all goes to me and my son."
A scheme worthy of the Golden Duke.
"But..."
Riana stomped her foot.
"I don't wanna marry! I'm in my prime—marriage? Making games with you is way more fun, Eugene!"
Poke. Her words stabbed my heart.
"Anyway, I'm off. Giving up without trying isn't me—even if it's Father."
She bowed to my teacher, then left with Hanna.
A few days passed.
"Long time no see, Sir Eugene."
Hanna told me Riana had left the capital for formal marriage talks.
No parent loses to their kid, they say?
Wrong. In this medieval fantasy, parents' word was law and truth.
The Golden Duke's daughter, Riana Ishinkiore, was just that—his goldendaughter.
"A gift from the Lady... er, young miss. She said she'll greet you on return, and to have a game ready that'll shock her by then."
"A gift?"
"Didn't you need artifacts for cube upgrades? She bought them with her own funds. Might not join the next project, so use them well in her stead."
"No need for..."
Hanna leaned in, whispering,
"Sir Eugene, she seemed happiest with you."
"..."
"Not at balls dripping in jewels, nor tea with empire's power players—never smiled as bright as with you."
I recalled her cheerful face, laughing even mid-punch.
"Just saying. I'll go."
I stared blankly at Riana's gift.
"...Damn it."
Back to the workshop.
Hearing Riana's story, I realized her life mirrored mine.
Not that a count's third son, 2-circle mage-turned-librarian, matched the empire's top guild head and duke's daughter.
But I'd once lived under parental pressure too.
House Paltrow was a backwater countship, never in central politics.
But Father's generation shifted things; ours exploded with potential.
Eldest bro: Dragon Slayer. Youngest bro: youngest imperial inspector. Me: 2-circle library mage.
Between 6-stars, I'm not even 4-star—straight 1-star trash.
Ten years my senior, big bro slew a dragon while I grinded rice as Monte Cristo count.
Not the mythic wise god-beast—just a breath-spewing giant dino with some smarts.
Still deadly; needed grand mage level for 1v1.
Some "Dragon Kings/Emperors" were the real deal.
Even against a regular one, with an elite squad of five, big bro beating an 8-circle grand mage with pure swordplay? Legendary.
Now disciple to Sir Carbolga, imperial guard captain and one of three continental swordmasters? Honorable.
Little bro? Nabbed youngest imperial inspector title around my academy entry.
Imperial Inspectorate—even stiff nobles fear it.
Emperor's direct arm after Investigations, targeting high officials, nobles, imperial kin.
Chief investigators topple provinces. Lancaster vice-count murder? Chaos.
Inspectors? Worse. And little bro held the youngest title.
Top-tier talent.
Dad hit the son gacha jackpot: honor and power secured.
Marquis rumors swirled.
In that house, I was the sole blemish.
Reincarnator with life experience, so no rebellion or running away.
But it hurt. Who doesn't crave family approval?
That's why I got Riana.
How I'd flailed for Dad's nod.
She'd walked thorns too.
Yet after proving herself and escaping the stifling nest, she was dragged back.
Might climb higher, earn insane cash.
Happy? No.
You don't treat kids like that.
Born as individuals, no one is property.
Kids have their own lives. Fate isn't dictated.
And games? They heal and comfort the wounded.
"..."
I eyed Riana's artifacts and the Gaming Cube.
"Your Grace, Pavel Ishinkiore? A man from the Central Magic Library wishes to meet you."
"Library? Who?"
"Mage Eugene Paltrow. Heard of the lady's betrothal; came with congratulatory gifts."
"...That man. Let him in."
I charged straight to the Golden Duke.
Want your daughter a royal? Fine—I'll make this one a queen first.